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Population Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Population Northern Virginia is on the front lines of a demographic transformation shaping the United States. There has been an extraordinary amount of population growth in Northern Virginia. In 2023, the Northern Virginia population was 74% more than in 1990 when the population was 1,466,350. Population Estimate 2023 2,556,143 The COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States in March 2020 and the emergency declaration was lifted in May 2023. The pandemic changed the country's and region's demographic migration patterns significantly due to the substantial rise in remote work. Remote work is providing people with the opportunity to move to places away from employment centers. Most people relocate for family-reasons, housing reasons, and for more affordable, lower cost of living according to the U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey. Young adult, first time home buyers are the largest, working-age demographic group that are choosing to move to more affordable areas. In the four years since the pandemic, the country has had a wave of out-migration from urban areas to suburban and rural areas or smaller urban areas. The shift to remote work is one of the most impactful societal changes impacting demographic trends in the country and region, and likely will shape future trends for a long time. From July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021, the nation's most populous areas, including Northern Virginia, experienced significant out migration and population declines. This was the first and only annual decline in Northern Virginia since the Census Bureau annual record keeping began in 1970, with a decline of an estimated 7,800 persons. Nationally, by County, and in Northern Virginia, growth patterns of 2022 and 2023 have "edged closer to pre-pandemic levels", according to the U.S. Census Bureau and NVRC Analysis. ​ Annual Estimates/Trends Decennial Census/Trends Annual Estimates Annual Estimates: Population, Natural Change (Births/Deaths), Migration Annual estimates of population and the components of change (domestic migration, international migration, births, and deaths) paint a portrait of the annual growth patterns in the towns of Northern Virginia. Annual estimates are not based on a full census of the population. Rather, they are estimates based on a compilation of multiple administrative data pieces such as birth records and residential building permits. The estimates are obtained from the U.S. Census, which benchmarks estimates to the Decennial Censuses. Decennial Census data represents the population as of April 1 of the year, whereas the annual estimates are as of July 1 of each year. ​ The 2020 to 2022 estimates are benchmarked to the 2020 Decennial Census. The 2010 to 2019 estimates are benchmarked to the 2010 Decennial Census, and the U.S. Census Bureau has yet to be adjust this series to reflect the results of the 2020 Decennial Census. Until data adjustments occur, annual growth amounts may be somewhat overstated or understated from 2010 to 2020. Decennial Population Decennial Census Data: Population The Decennial Census is based on a survey of the entire population. It is conducted once a decade. The 2020 Decennial Census population was released on August 12, 2021. The Decennial Census regional, county, and city population data is shown in the interactive charts that follow. Key Facts: ​ Decennial Growth In 2020, Northern Virginia's population was 2,550,337 according to the Decennial Census. The population increased from 1,466,409 in 1990, a 74% increase in the 30 year period from 1990 to 2020. Northern Virginia added approximately 320,000 people in this past decade, 2010 to 2020. This is 96,000 or 23% less than the previous decade, signaling a significant slowdown in the pace of growth. However, growth still continues at a high amount. Virginia’s population grew by 630,369 from 2010 to 2020, of which 50.7% of that growth was in Northern Virginia. I​​n 2020, 29.5% of Virginia’s population was in Northern Virginia, compared to 27.9% in 2010. Growth peaked in 2010. Growth in Northern Virginia has slowed since 2010. It has trended down annually since 2010, but it is still large and impactful growth that the the region is facing. The localities in Northern Virginia the growth is occurring in this decade is different in some ways than in the 1990s and 2000s. The preponderance of population growth of Northern Virginia continues to be located in the outer-ring suburbs of Prince William, Loudoun Counties, and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. However, the share of the region's growth that is in the outer-ring has dropped from 65.1% in the 2000 to 2010 period to 61.5% in the 2010 to 2020 period. Arlington has seen its share of the region's growth more than double from what it experienced in the 2000's. Alexandria has seen its share of the region's growth become 2.2 times what it experienced in the 2000's. Intensification of developmental pressures this decade in the inner-core is a response to the millennial generation preferences, demographics, urbanization, transportation and other market pressures. ​

Language Spoken Key Facts Language Spoken Understanding the population with language barriers is particularly critical for the quick and accurate dissemination of health, safety, and public information. 2014 to 2018 Five-Year Estimates Key Facts: ​ There are an estimated 584,000 people in Northern Virginia who live in a household where English is not spoken at home as the primary language. Of those, 31.2 percent of the population age five and over speak Spanish at home. Of those, the second most spoken language is Korean at 5.5 percent. ​ There are an estimated 134,200 people in Northern Virginia who report speaking English less than well, making up 5.4 percent of the region's total population.

Housing Characteristics Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Housing Foreign born headed households, especially those on the lower end of the income spectrum have significantly larger household sizes than U.S. born headed households. COVID-19 More occupants per household present opportunities for transmission of COVID-19 among members within that household since COVID-19 is spread through close contact. ​ Housing instability from the pandemic requires a very proactive role from local communities. 2014 to 2018 Five-Year Estimates Key Facts: ​ Foreign born headed households, in general, are larger than U.S. Born headed households in Northern Virginia and its localities. Northern Virginia has a foreign born average household size of 3.22, while U.S. born headed is 2.39. ​ The gap between the foreign born and U.S. born average household size in Northern Virginia shrinks with each higher income quintile, almost reaching parity at the top among the highest income households. The lowest income quintile has a gap of 0.9 persons per household, while the highest income quintile has a gap of 0.2 persons per household. ​ The housing tenure of the foreign born in Northern Virginia is 58 percent owner and 42 percent renter. This distribution varies widely by locality. The innermost, urban localities of Arlington and Alexandria have a higher rate of renters than the outer, suburban localities. ​ The housing type of the foreign born in Northern Virginia is 60.5 percent single-family, 37.5 percent multi-family, and 2.0 percent other. This distribution varies widely by locality. The innermost, urban localities of Alexandria and Arlington have a majority residing in multi-family and the outer, suburban localities have a majority residing in single-family. Explore housing topics by clicking on the tabs below

Population of Towns Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Population of Towns Northern Virginia is on the front lines of a demographic transformation shaping the United States. There has been an extraordinary amount of population growth in Northern Virginia, some of it being in incorporated towns. The town of Purcellville has nearly tripled in size since 2000. The town of Lovettsville has more than tripled in size since 2000. The towns of Leesburg and Haymarket have populations that have nearly doubled since 2000. Annual Estimates Data Annual estimates of population paint a portrait of the annual growth patterns in the towns of Northern Virginia. Annual estimates are not based on a full census of the population. Rather they are estimates based on a compilation of multiple administrative data pieces such as birth records and residential building permits. The estimates are benchmarked to the Decennial Census. These latest estimates are benchmarked to the 2020 Decennial Census. The 2020 Decennial Census data was released on August 12, 2021. Decennial Census Data The Decennial Census is based on a survey of the entire population. It is conducted once a decade. The 2020 Decennial Census population was release on August 12, 2021. The Decennial Census town population data is shown in the interactive charts that follow.

Education Information on education of the overall Northern Virginia region and its county and cities. Overall Information on education of Northern Virginia incorporated towns . Towns

Labor Force - Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Labor Force - Overall Northern Virginia’s immigrant population is well-suited to maintaining and expanding the region’s labor force In Northern Virginia, immigrant entrepreneurs – those who work for their own businesses, incorporated or not – are making their mark locally. 2013 to 2017 Period Key Facts: ​ In Northern Virginia, less than two-thirds, or 61.6 percent of the U.S.-born population are of working age — between 16 and 64 years old — the range considered to be working age by the Department of Labor. Meanwhile, more than four out of five, or 83.9 percent of the immigrant population in the region are of working age. While immigrants make up 27.4 percent of the overall population, they make up 34.0 percent of the region’s working-age population. Northern Virginia has a high percentage of immigrants, 31.8 percent, working in STEM industries compared to 22.8 percent of immigrants overall in the United States. What are the top 3 industry sectors of the U.S. Born labor force? Source: 2013-2017 American Community Survey, 5-Year Sample, downloaded from IPUMS USA, University of Minnesota, www.ipums.org . 1. Professional Services (25.4%) ​ 2. Administration (14.7%) ​ 3. Education ( 9.6%) What are the top 3 industry sectors of the Foreign Born labor force? 1. Professional Services (20.7%) ​ 2. Entertainment, Arts, and Hospitality (12.1%) ​ 3. Construction (10.8%) Source: NAE analysis of the 2013-2017 American Community Survey,5-Year Sample, downloaded from IPUMS USA, University of Minnesota, www.ipums.org ; ITEP, “Who Pays?”; Congressional Budget Office; U.S. Social Security Administration.

Economically Disadvantaged Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Economically Disadvantaged Overall While Northern Virginia is known for having communities with some of the highest median incomes in the United States, we must recognize that there are segments of the community in need of assistance that live in one of the most prosperous regions in the country. Poverty The Northern Virginia region has some of the highest household incomes in the United States. However, there are persons in poverty in the region, and their needs must be recognized and addressed. The poverty rates of all counties and cities in Northern Virginia are shown in the following graphs. The poverty rate is the ratio of the number of persons in poverty divided by the number of persons for whom poverty status was determined. Not everyone had their poverty status determined so this figure will be less than the total population. About the Data and Proper Data Interpretation Poverty data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census and the American Community Survey (ACS). ​It is important to note that any data sourced from the ACS is based on a small sample of the population of a place. Areas with smaller populations, such as the cities of Northern Virginia, may have a larger margin of error in the data due to the survey sample size being small. This is less of an issue the larger the population. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and is not considered statistically significant. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If the data has a clear trend then the data from one period to the next can be deemed reliable Poverty Rate - Current Five-Year Estimates Northern Virginia's poverty rate is 5.9%, compared to 10.0% for Virginia and 12.5% for the nation according to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. All jurisdictions in the United States are included in the five-year American Community Survey estimates. Out of all 3,144 jurisdictions in the USA, two of the fifteen lowest poverty rates are located in the Northern Virginia localities of Falls Church (4th) and Loudoun County (11th). Loudoun County and Falls Church are also the first and second ranked for median household income, respectively. However, there are persons in poverty in Loudoun, Falls Church, and the rest of the region, and their needs must be recognized and addressed. Poverty Rate - Current One-Year Estimates Those jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more are included in the one-year American Community Survey estimates, of which there are 837 jurisdictions. The poverty rate, for those jurisdictions in Northern Virginia with a population of 65,000 or more, is shown in this graph. Out of the 837 jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more in the USA, one of the ten lowest poverty rates is located in the Northern Virginia locality of Loudoun County (7th). Loudoun County is also the number one ranked for median household income. However, there are persons in poverty in Loudoun and the rest of the region and their needs must be recognized. Poverty Rate - Historic Compared to Current Five-Year Estimates Northern Virginia's poverty rate has experienced a similar pattern to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States over time. From 1999 to 2017 there was an increase in the percent of persons in poverty and then in the 2018-2022 period it dropped, yet still above the lowest levels seen in 1999. Poverty Rate - Historic Compared to Current One-Year Estimates The poverty rate patterns over time, for the regions large jurisdictions (population of 65,000 or more), are shown in the following graph. The persons in poverty data has large year-to-year fluctuations due to being collected from a survey with a small sample size. The margins of error are large for the poverty one-years estimates, making any poverty trends undiscernible. The margins of error are displayed in the pop-ups, which appear when hovering over a bar in the graph. Because of the issues with the reliability of the one-year poverty estimates, it is strongly recommended that poverty rate 5-year estimates be used for all Northern Virginia jurisdictions and the region overall when it comes to assessing trends, planning, and making policy decision. The American Community Survey 5-year estimates have a significantly larger sample size. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Expenditures The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expenditures in Northern Virginia are shown in this graph, including data through December 2023. Since 2011, the peak amount of expenditures was reached in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic downturn. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the world and its impact on the Northern Virginia region was significant from a health and economic stand point. The temporary boost to SNAP benefits put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as emergency allotments, ended nationwide after the February 2023 issuance. 3040 Williams Drive Suite 200 Fairfax, Virginia 22031 703-642-0700 Sitemap Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement

Coronavirus Testing Dashboard Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Testing Data Coronavirus Testing January 12, 2023 NOTICE Beginning, Januay 12, 2023, NVRC's Northern Virginia testing dashboard has been retired. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) retired their testing dashboard at the end of December and NVRC has followed suit. VDH and NVRC testing dashboards are retired because the number of tests and the percent positivity no longer truly captures what is happening in communities. This comes as at-home COVID-19 tests are widely available now and not required to be reported to the Virginia Department of Health. This results in a significant number of tests going unreported today, which makes the reported testing data not representative of the actual circumstances in communities.

Citizenship Key Facts Citizenship Immigrants in Northern Virginia have above average rates of naturalization 2013 to 2017 Period Key Facts: ​ More than half, or 51.3 percent, of all immigrants in the region, have earned their U.S. citizenship. The Northern Virginia U.S. Citizenship rate of immigrants is higher than the national average of 48 percent. Further information about citizenship, from research NVRC has conducted separately from the One Region report, can be found on the People dashboard .

Labor Force: COVID-19 Pandemic Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Labor Force - COVID-19 Immigrants are heavily represented among the region's frontline essential and healthcare workforce fighting against the virus and keeping the region running. Workers in essential industries are typically unable to work remotely, increasing their risk of exposure to the disease. ​ Workers in non-essential industries have been severely affected by the economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak, especially those who cannot work remotely or whose places of work depend normally on face-to-face interaction. 2014 to 2018 Period Key Facts:​ ​ More than an estimated 410,000 workers in Northern Virginia work in essential industries and occupations. ​ 47.9 percent of all essential workers in Northern Virginia are foreign born. The total population of Northern Virginia is 27.6% foreign born. This indicates that immigrants are disproportionately affected. ​ More than 40 percent of all essential healthcare workers in Northern Virginia are foreign born. ​ Within essential healthcare occupations, foreign born makes up more than half of all nursing assistants, personal care aides, lab technologists and technicians, and licensed practical or vocational nurses. ​ 38.7 percent of all non-essential industry workers in Northern Virginia are foreign born. ​ STEM work is vital to Northern Virginia's economy. Foreign born workers comprise more than half of financial services and more than one quarter of transportation, retail trade, educational services, and healthcare and social services. Explore labor force topics by clicking on the tabs below

Median Household Income Overall Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Median Household Income Overall Northern Virginia is known for having communities with some of the highest median incomes in the United States, including the county with the highest in the nation. High median household incomes coincide with the large, thriving business community of the Northern Virginia region. While the median household income is high, it must be recognized that there are segments of the community in need of assistance that live in this prosperous region of the country and that high housing costs offset the high income when it comes to standards of living and well-being. ​ About the Data and Proper Data Interpretation Median household income data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census and the American Community Survey (ACS). ​ It is important to note that any data sourced from the ACS is based on a small sample of the population of a place. Areas with smaller populations, such as the cities of Northern Virginia, may have a larger margin of error in the data due to the survey sample size being small. This is less of an issue the larger the population. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and is not considered statistically significant. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If the data has a clear trend then the data from one period to the next can be deemed reliable. Median Household Income - Current Five-Year Estimates All jurisdictions in the United States are included in the five-year American Community Survey estimates. The Median household income of all jurisdictions in Northern Virginia is shown in this graph. The median household income of every Northern Virginia jurisdiction is higher than the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Out of all 3,144 jurisdictions in the USA, three of the five highest ranked for median household income are located in Northern Virginia, and those include Loudoun County (1st), Falls Church City (2nd), Fairfax County (4th), and Arlington County (10th). Northern Virginia's median household income, at an estimated $140,511 (in 2022 dollars), is higher than 10th ranked Arlington, making Northern Virginia one of the most affluent region's of the USA. Median Household Income - Current ​ One-Year Estimates Those jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more are included in the one-year American Community Survey estimates. The median household income of jurisdictions in Northern Virginia with a population of 65,000 or more is shown in this graph. The five largest jurisdictions of Northern Virginia all have incomes higher than the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Out of the 837 jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more in the USA, three of the top fifteen highest income jurisdictions are located in Northern Virginia, and those include Loudoun County (1st), Fairfax County (4th), and Arlington County (13th). The median household income of Northern Virginia's five largest jurisdiction together is estimated to be $140,511 (in 2022 dollars), making Northern Virginia one of the most affluent areas of the USA. Median Household Income - Historic Compared to Current Five-Year Estimates The Northern Virginia region's median household income had been rising since 1999 until it stagnated in the 2018-2022 period. The greatest upward transformations in median household income, to levels well beyond inflation, have occurred in the Counties of Arlington and Loudoun. Median Household Income - Historic Compared to Current One-Year Estimates The median household income trend, for the regions large jurisdictions (population of 65,000 or more), are shown in the following graph. Key Facts: There were dips in median household income in the early 2010s for some jurisdictions. The effects of the recession from 2007 to 2009 were still causing economic hardships and in 2013 there was federal sequestration when the federal government made large budget cuts. The Northern Virginia region is heavily dependent on the federal government for its economy, so job layoffs during sequestration impacted household incomes. ​ Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically from 2012 to 2019 the trend in the Northern Virginia median household income was upward after accounting for inflation. The COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, setting off a wave of demographic changes in the region and around the nation. Notably, NVRC research has shown that workers retired early but generally remained in the region, immigration slowed, and many young moderate to high-income office workers migrated out of the region to work remotely to places that have a more affordable cost of living. The impact of these shifts is evidenced by Northern Virginia's median household income having a downward trend from 2019 to 2022 after accounting for inflation. Policy makers have given much attention to finding solutions and implementing programs for low-income, but the pandemic has manifested the need for middle-income housing and middle-income programs that will allow current and potential new households to afford to comfortably live and raise families in the region.

Foreign Born and Immigrants of Towns Reports, maps, and charts are best viewed on a desktop or tablet. Key Facts Foreign Born Population Overall ​The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is one of the most diverse in the country when taking into consideration the minority and foreign born (immigrant) population make-up. Northern Virginia contains a sizable amount of the metropolitan area's diverse population. The foreign born or immigrant population is transforming the region and many of it's towns. Note, the terms foreign born and immigrant are used interchangeably throughout the NOVA Region Dashboard. ​ It is immigration that has been driving many of the major demographic trends in the region, including: School enrollment changes Sizable increases in the number of Hispanics and Asians Population and labor force growth About the Data and Proper Data Interpretation Foreign born population data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census and the American Community Survey. All of the incorporated towns in Northern Virginia have a population of less than 65,000 persons. One-year ACS estimates do not exist for incorporated places with a population of less than 65,000. All incorporated towns and places in the United States are included in the five-year ACS estimates. ​ ​It is important to note that any data sourced from the ACS is based on a small sample of the population of a place. The ACS estimates for places with smaller populations such as Clifton, Dumfries, Hamilton, Haymarket, Hillsboro, Lovettsville, Middleburg, and Quantico can be unreliable if the margin of error is large. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and is not considered statistically significant. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If the data has a clear trend then the data from one period to the next can be deemed reliable. Foreign Born Population - Current Foreign Born Population Share - Current The region's highest ranked county/city is Manassas Park City, ranking 7th in the nation at 36.5%. The town of Herndon has a foreign born population share of 41.8% which is estimated to be higher, however the town is not statistically different from the City of Manassas Park based on the margins of error. Towns that are estimated to have lower foreign born population shares than the Commonwealth of Virginia are all located within rural Loudoun County (Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Middleburg, Round Hill), except for Clifton which is located in rural Fairfax County and Quantico which is surrounded by the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Prince William County. Note, the town of Hillsboro's 2017-2021 estimate is considered to be highly unreliable based on the large margin of error, its large increase from prior five-year periods, and its rural setting in Loudoun County. Foreign Born Population - Historic Compared to Current Foreign Born Population Share - Historic Compared to Current Immigration has been driving many of the major demographic trends in the region. The foreign born population is transforming the region. Northern Virginia's population was 21.4% foreign born in 2000 and has risen to 27.7% currently. ​ ​Large transformations since 2000 have occurred in the towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Occoquan, Purcellville, and Quantico. All of these incorporated towns are located in the outer-core, which is where the majority of the region's growth has occurred. ​ Note, the American Community Survey is a survey with a small sample size. Due to the small size of many Northern Virginia towns and small sample size of the survey, the median household income of towns should be used with caution and the margin of error of the median household income should be taken into consideration. If there is a large increase or decrease in the estimate from one time period to the next, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and the data should be used with caution. The margin of error is shown in the popup that is displayed when hovering over a bar in the bar charts. In addition to the margin of error, the accuracy of the American Community Survey data for an area can be gaged by evaluating the trend. If the data does not have a clear trend, and the margin of error is large and overlaps other periods, then the large change between time periods is likely due to statistical sampling error and the data should be used with caution.